Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Texas arrested at a courthouse an undocumented woman who had gone to court wanting legal protection from domestic abuse.

DOMESTIC VOLENCE COURT

According to the Guardian, two federal agents showed up in a domestic violence court and arrested the woman minutes after she was granted an order of protection. A local lawyer stated that the woman’s abuser tipped ICE agents off to her immigration status as well as where she was. This case is likely to increase fear in undocumented populations, discouraging those in dangerous or abuse situations from seeking help. This is the exact reason some cities have declared themselves as “sanctuary city”.

LOTS OF WORK FOR 1 ARREST

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal told CBS News the woman had endured “serious abuse,” and articulated shock at the work that had gone into making the arrest.

“We were stunned that ICE would go to these lengths for someone that is not a violent criminal,” Bernal told the outlet. “I cannot recall an instance where ICE agents have gone into the domestic violence court, specifically looking for a victim of domestic violence.”

Michelle Ortiz of Americans for Immigrant Justice said that in this amplified climate of xenophobia, ushered in by an administration that has put out clearly anti-immigrant messaging and legislation, fear in undocumented communities has reached levels not seen in decades.

“Enforcement action like this one, I mean it takes us back 30 years and it’s terrifying because we do so much outreach and community events with law enforcement trying to get the word out that this is safe, and in your home country it might not be safe, and in your home country there is corruption and there is law enforcement that does not care about domestic violence and is not going to protect women—but you’re in the United States now, where everyone is protected regardless of immigration status,” Ortiz told the Guardian. “And I’m really afraid that we won’t be able to say that anymore. It’s disheartening and frankly it’s terrifying.”

“Our clients come to us at the lowest point in their lives,” Bernal told the El Paso Times. “Many of them are so frightened of coming to us because of possible immigration concerns.”

Per the Guardian report, the woman had experienced multiple episodes of abuse. In response, she had “filed three police reports” which detail incidents involving “punching, kicking, choking and having a knife thrown at her.” The video footage shows the two ICE agents entering the courthouse and later arriving on the 10th floor, where protective order hearings are held. The footage concludes with the agents leading the woman outside.

“They came into the courthouse,” El Paso district attorney Jaime Esparza told the Guardian, “and I think it sends a horrible message to victims of domestic violence on whether or not they’re actually going to have the ability to seek justice in our courthouse.”